Distributing tank



May 12, 1931. D CHASE 1,804,592

DISTRIBUTING TANK May 1.2, 1931.v

" c. D, CHASE 1,804,592

DI STRIBUTING TANK Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1931 CURTIS D. CHASE, OF ALSTGN, lillflMil-Till'SET'S, ASS'IGNOR TO CHASE HOLDING COE- PORATON, A GQBPORi-.TON OF PENNSYL-VANA DSTRIBUTING TAN K Application filed' October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,343. i

This invention relates to distributing tanks and more particularly to mobile tanks Jfor distributing khot asphalt or the like along a roadway, altho it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to this particular adaptation, for obviously with slight modifications, the invention is capable of other applications among which may be noted that of spraying fluids alo-nga railroadfor the purpose of killing weeds. The invention, however, will be described moreparticularlyfwith relation tothe firstvappli'cation above stated.

One ofthe objects ofthe present-invention is to provide a distributing tank which comprises self-contained apparatus for transporting and/or heating or treating asphalt `prior toits distribution'y along the road.-

A Jfurther object is to kprovide avcompact, self-contained apparatus of the above general character which'will be reliable and eticient in use andoperation.

A further object is to provide an' apparatus of thelast above mentioned character which will be easy and safe to operate under all circumstances, and in which the dangerot igniting the asphalt content or exploding the containerwhen heated will be positively eliminated. j l f Y Other objects will be in part Aobvious from the annexedk drawings and in part hereinn after indicatedin connection therewith by the following analysis of this invention. Y

This invention accordingly consists in the feaures of construction, combinationof parts and in the unique relation ofthe members and in the relative yproportioning and dispositioning thereof, all'as more completely outlined herein. l

comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modiications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred-form of the invention have been 'annexed as part of this disclosure, and in :such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views, in which- Figal is anelevation of-thecomplete ap To enable others skilled inthe art to fully paratus with such parts shown as will be necessary to understand the invention;

l? 2 is a rear elevational view;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail ot one form of valve in one position;

Fig. i is a similar view of the same parts ina different position; and

Fig. 5 is a detail diagrammatic view sh0wing a portion of the power plant.

Referring now tothe drawings in detail, andmore particularly to Fig. l, 6 indicates a vehicle frame, such as an automobile chassis, mounted upon suitable wheels 7 and provided with the usual source'oi' power, only the take-oli? shaft 8 of which is herein shown. Mounted upon the chassis is a main heating tank 9 preferably of relatively large cylindrical construction into which the asphalt is pumped from any suitable source of supply, such as a tank car. v As is well known to those familiar with the art, there is a decided tendency for asphalt to solidify on cooling, and it is therefore necessary to either use the asphalt at once while still hot, or provide means for reheating it or maintaining it at a temperature sufiicient to give the desired fluidity.

For this purpose, there is provided a heating` apparatus substantially as follows. The tank 9 at its bott-om portion is provided with an upwardly extending hood l0 forming a combustion y chamber and running substantially the entire length of and terminating in a chamber 1l at the front end of the tank. This chamber is wider than the elongated chamber formed by the hood 10 and communicates with return liues 12, Fig. 2, leading back thru the interior of the ktank and connected with upwardly extending stacks 13.

At the rear end ofthe central chamber, there is provided an oil burner 14 of any desired type ybut preferably of that type in which oil and air under pressure are ignited to project a flame well into the central chamber so as to heat to a relatively high temperature the walls of hood 10 which are directly in contact with the asphaltand maintain the asphalt in a fluid condition. The products of combustion from the central chamber pass into the transverse chamber l1 and return thru the lues 12 to the stacks 13. In this manner, the entire lower part of the tank is heated to any desired degree and the asphalt maintained in a fluid condition. V

The melted asphalt is distributed along the road in any approved manner, but it is preferred to use a sprinkling system substantially as shown in Fig. 2. Near the lower part of the main tank 9 are two tap-offs 15, each provided with a valve 16 and terminating in spreaders 1'?. The melted asphalt is forced ont thru these spreaders 17 preferably under air pressure7 for which purpose there is accordingly provided'two air storage tanks 18 conveniently mounted at each side of the main receptacle 9. The air tanks are charged by an air compressor 2O driven by means of chain and sprocket connection 21 from an uiiliary power shaft 22 rotated as by sprocket drive 8a from shaft 8 as shown in Fig. 5. This auxiliary power shaft 22 is also adapted to drive an asphalt loading pump 23 by means of chain and sprocket drive 24. Suitable clutch elements and 25a rotate with shaft 22 and ternately with complemental clutch surfaces on sleeves 19 and 19a, which in turn rotate with sprocket wheels 24a and 21a, respectively, thus throwing the compressor and pump into and out of operation as and when desired. The pump 23 discharges into tank 9 thru. line 23a, and is provided Awith an inlet connection 235 Ivor coupling with a line to a tank car or other source of asphalt supply.

The air tanks 18 are filled from the compressor 2O thru an air line 26 leading to the tank at one side, which tank is connected by means of a crc-ssA line 2'? with the air tank at the opposite side of the main tank 9. Two

n relatively small tanks are used in preferance to one large tank for the sake of convenience and compactness, they will conveniently fit in along the main receptacle and be supported directly by the side bars of the chassis frame.

The air tanks 18 are also connected with the interior of the asphalt tank 9 by means of pipe 28. At one side of the main tank 10, there is an oil tank 31 for supplying fuel oil to the burner 14 thru the pipe 32.

At this point, it should be noted that when the burner 14 is operating to heat the asphalt, there will naturally be an expansion of gases within the main tank 10, and suitable means must be provided for venting this pressure, for otherwise the tank 9 would act as a boiler with natural tendencies to explode under high pressures. In order to positively eliminate such a possibility, a fool-proof valve 33 is installed in the supply lines, thereby to connect the interior of the tank 9 with a vent 34 when the oil burner is in operation and to simultaneously close the vent and shut olf the fuel supply to the burners when the air tanks 18 are opened to supply compressed air to the interior of the tank for the purpose of ejecting the melted asphalt thru the distributors 17. This valve 33 is shown in detail in Fig. -3.

As herein shown in Fig. 3, the tank 9 is venting, and oil which is supplied thereto for heating purposes, flows from the tank 31 thru pipe 36 to a rotatable valve plug 38 provided, as shown, with three through passages. The passage 40 permits registry between the pipe 36 from the oil supply tank and the pipe 32 to the burner. The air from tank 18 is blocked ofi' by reason of port 41 failing to establish communication between air line 42 to the valve and air line 28 from the valve to the tank 9. Likewise the port 43 communicates with the'vent pipe 34 and yalso the pipe 44 leading from the interior of the asphalt tank 9.y From this, it will be evident that so long as the oil burner is permitted to operate, the vent will be open, and any danger of excessive pressures, causing a bursting o f the boiler, will be positively eliminated.` The burner may be shut off by merely rotating the plug 38 to the position shown in Fig. 4, whereupon the oil line is interrupted, the vent is shut olf, and the compressed air from the tank 1.8 flows freely to the interi r of the asphalt tank 9, thereby to eject the asphalt the moment the distributing valves 16 are opened. A regulatingl valve 30 in vent line 44 from the tank 9 may be provided to maintain the tank un der a low pressure if it is desired to operate the burner at a low rate to merely keep up the temperature of the prior heated asphalt.

While it is believed that the operation and method of use of the apparatus herein set forth will be clear to those familiar with the art, it may be briefly stated, however, that in use the entire apparatus is driven to the source of supply or tank car and pump 23 connected therewith. Asphalt is then pumped directly into the tank 9 until it reaches a predetermined level. The vehicle is then driven to the place of use, but in the meantime, air compressor engine 20 is started in order to fill the compressed air tanks 18, and the burner 14 is lighted in order to maintain the asphalt within the tank 9 in its heated and fluid condition. In order to do this, the -valve 33 is moved to the position shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3. When the place of road treatment is reached, the oil burnery is shut off by moving the valve 33 to the position shown in Fig. 4, which as above explained, automatically cuts ofi' the burner and allows the air from the compressed air tanks 18 to owinto the top of the tank 10. Then the distributor nozzles are opened by means of the valves 16 and the road sprayed with the hot asphalt. At any time thereafter as may be necessary, the burner may be relighted and the air tanks shut ofi". The air compressor is thrown into gear by means of clutch 25 so as to maintain a proper and predetermined pressure Within the supply tanks 18.

From the above, it Will be seen that the present invention provides a simple and practical apparatus particularly adapted for dis` normal operation of the main tank blowing up due to building up of pressure therein While the burner unit is in operation or becoming heated to such a degree as to ignite the contents. In describing the invention, omission has been made of many of the minor details, such as pressure gauges or automatic cut-outs between the air compressor and the air tanks, as they form no part of the invent-ion but may be applied as and When necessary.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledgeI readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or speciiic aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended Within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claimt l. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a sup-porting frame, a heating tank mounted. thereon, a source of heat directly associated with said 'tank for heating the contents thereof, and means for insuring venting of the tank When the source of heat is in operation.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a supporting frame, a tank mounted thereon having passages therethru, an oil burner for supplying heat thru said passages to heat the contents of the tank, a vent connection from the interior of said tank, and means for opening said vent when the burner is in operation and closing said vent when the burner is turned off.

3. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, in combination, a supporting frame, a tank mounted thereon having passages thcrethru, an oil burner for supplying heat thru said passages to heat the contents of the tank, a vent connection from the interior of said tank, means for opening said vent When the burner is in operation and closing said vent when the burner is turned off, and means for supplying compressed air to the interior of said tank when the vent is closed.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a tank having passages'therethru, fan oil burner orf the like for supplying heat'to circulate thru said passages, said tank having a vent and a source of 'compressed air connected With the tank adapted to eject the contents thereof under:

pressure, and means for simultaneously closing` the burner and vent and admitting compressed air'to the interior of the tank.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a tank having pas-KV sages therethru, an oil burner or the like for supplying heat to circulate hru said passages, said tank having a vent and a source of compressedv air connected with the tank adapted to eject the contents thereof under'v pressure, and means for simultaneouslyclosing 'the 1nurner and vent and admitting compressed air to the interior of the tank, said means comprising ay three-way valve connectf ed r ispectivelyavit-h the oil supply, the source of compressed air and the vent.

6. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, in con'ibination', a support, 'a tank n'iounted thereon adapted 'to contain asphalt or the like, means for heating said tank, alr

source of compressed air communicating With the tank whereby the contents may be ejected under pressure, avent leading from the tank,

and vmeans for simultaneously disconnecting the vent and heating means 'and'connectingi the source of compressed-air With the interior of the tank.

v 7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, a tank mounted thereon for containing asphalt er1 the like, means for heatingr the contents of said'tank, distributing `nozzles connected with the tank, a source of compressed air communicating with the tank for discharging the contents Linder pressure thru said nozzles, and 1 a single means for simultaneously disconnecting the heating vmeans from the'tank and placing the source of compressed air in communi cationwvith the interior of the tank.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, ya tank mounted thereon for containing asphalt or the like, means for heatingthe contents of the tank, a fuel reservoir mounted on said support, `a fuel line from the reservoir to the heating means, a vent line to atmosphere from the. tank, and means disposed in said fuel and vent lines operative 'to simultaneously open said lines.

9. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, a tank mounted thereon for containing asphalt yor the like, means for heating the contents of the tank, a fuel reservoir mounted on said support, avfuel line from the reservoir to the heating means, a vent line to atmosphere from the tank, and means disposed in said fuel and vent lines operative simultaneously to open and close said lines.

10. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, a tank mounted thereon for containing asphalt or the like, means for heating the contents of the tank, a compressed air reservoir mounted on the support, an air line from the reservoir to the tank, a fuel reservoir mounted on the support, a line from the fuel reservoir to the heating means, a vent line to atmosphere from the tank, and means disposed in said air, fuel and vent lines operative simultaneously to open the vent and fuel lines and to close the air line.

11. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, a tank mounted thereon for containing asphalt or the like, means for heating the contents of the tank, a compressed air reservoir mounted on the support, an air line from the reservoir to the tank, a fuel reservoir mounted on the support, a line from the fuel reservoir to the heating means, a vent line to atmosphere from the tank, and means disposed in said air, fuel and vent lines operative simultaneously to open the air line and to close the fuel and vent lines.

l2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, a. tank mounted thereon-for containing asphalt and the like, means for heating the contents of the tank, a compressed air reservoir mounted on the support, an air line from the reservoir to the tank, a fuel reservoir mounted on the supy port, a line from the fuel reservoirto the heating means, a vent line to atmosphere from the tank, a valve casing operatively disposed in the air, fuel and vent lines, and a valve in the casing operative simultaneously to open the fuel and vent lines and to close the air line.

13.Y In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support, a tank mounted thereon for containing asphalt and the like, means for heating the contents of the tank, a compressed air reservoir mounted on the support, an air line from the reservoir to the tank, a fuel reservoir mounted on the support, a line from the fuel reservoir to the heating means, a vent line to atmosphere from the tank, a valve casing operatively disposed in the air, fuel and vent lines, and a valve in the casing operative simultaneously to open the air line and to close the fuel and vent lines.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 9th day of September, 1927.

CURTIS D. CHASE. 

